Just a conditions update for y'all... Sharon and I did two days up near Lake Park this last weekend... SPECTACULAR... anyway, we did not bring snowshoes and did not need them, however, microspikes came in handy to save hiking energy in some places, if you follow. Of course, your trip is over two weeks away so conditions will probably change.

We hiked in to just below Lake Park peak, dropped our packs and summitted, then found a really cool campsite just below the summit to the south, on a saddle that happens to be oriented just so to catch both the setting sun and the rising sun the next morning. The sun will rise a bit left (north) of Pikes Peaks from this vantage. So if you value the morning sun when camping in the winter (we sure do!), find a place that has a good view of the terrain north of Pikes.

Have fun! Catamount is a TON of fun, and a bit of a routefinding challenge. When I climbed this maybe 8 years ago now, there were only a couple dozen names on the summit register that went back into the 80's. Mike Garret's name was on there a bunch of times, and Ddog's twice (right?).

Hello LCW'ers. The itinerary I am considering for this trip is as follows:

Backpack in from Spruce Grove TH to Hankins Pass on Saturday, set up camp, gather firewood, then attempt the Catamount 11,695'. Then Sunday go up South Tarryall Peak 11,206' early, return to camp, meet up with any daytrippers coming in, and go up Lake Park Peak 11,403'. Start time for Saturday and daytrippers recommended start time for Sunday to be determined.

After how dry it was on Bison Peak yesterday, this is very encouraging for an attempt on the Catamount.

Brian,What time you planning to start out Saturday? Those plans sound good, I would really like to head to Catamount. I'd probably pass on South Tarryall, instead check out some formations that will be close to camp. (labeled Sharkfin and Lynx on your map.

Whoops. Edit. Just saw Hankins as the planned campsite. Maybe I would join for S Tarry...we'll see.

A shorter backpack = more beverages. That'll work.

--D

*edit #2: no snowshoes for the LCW in February? Crazy! Not gonna complain.

That's what I wanted to ask you about. I don't want to start super early if we don't have to. But since there's been additional interest in the overnight expressed, and Britt wants to know about start time since he's coming from the Springs, let's pick a start time for Saturday and coordinate carpools.

Derek, could you please post some stats on distance and elevation gain from Spruce Grove to Hankins Pass? I was thinking to suggest for the daytrippers to aim for Hankins Pass around 10-10:30 Sunday so they won't have to leave super early either.

"I try my best to be just like I am, but everybody wants you to be just like them" - Bob Dylan